Netbooks on the Factory Floor

'Netbooks' seem to be making a big splash. Drawn by what buyers perceive to be a bargain price (compared to a full-sized, full-powered notebook PC), they seem not to mind the compromises that come along with this new category. Low processor power? No problem. If it's got enough horsepower to launch a Web browser, perform word processing, spreadsheet and e-mail functions, it'll do.

Do netbooks have a place in factory automation? Do you see advantages in having something more portable and lower in cost than full-size notebooks for roving the factory floor? Could it make a good mobile control station, or would an 8" - 10" screen make for a too-compromised HMI?

Certainly, the limited processing power in these machines means that whatever control software it would be running could not be a CPU-hog, and would have to be sparing on memory usage. Specialized software might need to be developed. Likely the better solution would be to run the control software on a server somewhere in the plant and have it present a Web interface that could be accessed by the netbook as a Web browser session.

What's your assessment of the prospects for netbooks in industrial control?

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